User:Garfagnana1972/sandbox

phonograph were an alternative pop/ rock band formed in London in 1999 that recorded 1 highly respected album, phonograph Volume 1.

The band was active from 1999 until 2003.

Beginnings

Initially formed as a vehicle by Paul Campbell and Terence O'Mahony in order to develop their songwriting partnership.

The duo met when Campbell responded to an advert placed in the Melody Maker by O'Mahoney searching for artists to play at an open mic night he was running in a bar in Bayswater. Having just moved to London to pursue his musical ambitions, Campbell managed to secure himself a Tuesday night residency and became friends with O'Mahony.

Discovering a shared love of 60's pop music, classic 70's rock as well as the new wave of alternative rock emanating from the United States at the time, Campbell and O'Mahoney sought to combine elements of these influences to produce short sharp memorable pop songs.

Wearing these influences on their sleeves was something they were unashamed of.

"I was always amazed how much used to be crammed into 2 minute records in the 50's and 60's and this was the brief and standard we set ourselves. Nothing should be there unless there was a point to it, both in the writing and recording process....no fat....no waste" remembers Campbell.

The duo recorded a number of demos of original songs in the basement of O'Mahoney's house in Olympia, West London.

The demos were of revamped ideas or songs written independently prior to working together or new material written face to face, "Lennon and McCartney style".

"In the vain of the greats such as Mowtown or The Beatles, the idea was to try to write a song a day. We used to start at 10am and finish by 6pm hopefully with something recorded. Then straight to the pub for a couple of pints of Guinness to discuss the fruits of the day".

"We were searching for a spark, a spontaneous energy and we were pretty brutal with each others offerings, particularly ideas or songs that had been written prior to us working together. We each had to shake off our ego's and accept the others opinion which we each respected. In the end, it paid off as half baked ideas or something going in the wrong direction all of a sudden took on a new life. It was a great and rewarding process".

The Benny Family

At the same time to earn some money, Campbell and O'Mahoney began gigging as a duo around London.

Billed as The Benny Family initially playing cover versions, they slowly they began to incorporate the original material into the set and the audience reaction was mainly positive.

Against the usual reflective singer/ songwriter live fare of the time, the focus was on energetic performances often involving the audience. These gigs also laid the foundations for and helped develop the close harmony singing style phonograph became associated with.

"Although it was a well worn path, people seemed to like it when we sung together so it was a no brainer to do it and completely natural".

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